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The Office of AccessAbility Services (OAS) maintains a confidential list of students with disabilities who have confirmed that they could need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation. The names, cell phone numbers, student ID numbers, course schedules, and room assignments of these students are included in the list. The list is shared with Campus Police, Environmental Health & Safety, the Office of Housing and Residential Life, and the Willimantic Fire Department.
All people who utilize Eastern's campus are asked to take responsibility in developing their own Personal Evacuation Plan. OAS staff is available to collaborate with students in devising various plans of evacuation for each building on campus. These buildings may include, but are not limited to, the student's residence hall, buildings in which the student's courses take place, the library, Hurley, and the Student Center. The individualized evacuation plans should also detail alternate routes of evacuation as well as identifying two "Evacuation Assistants;" individuals on campus who the student can contact via cell phone to request assistance in an evacuation. All students who opt to be on the Emergency Evacuation List are encouraged devise their own evacuation plans.
The students' professors and housing staff will be informed of the students' status on the Emergency Evacuation List. Students are encouraged to discuss their evacuation plans with all involved parties. These individuals may include, but are not limited to, campus police, instructors, classmates, hall directors, resident assistants, and roommates. OAS staff is happy to assist students in facilitating these conversations. The student has the right to decline disclosure of his/her Personal Evacuation Plan.
It is best for students with disabilities to create two different plans for each building frequently used. One plan should outline evacuation procedures when in the company of others and the other plan should outline evacuation procedures when the student is alone. Also, students should outline two evacuation routes from each building; students should have an alternate route should the first route be inaccessible. Lastly, students should identify two people on campus who are aware of the student's needs in the event of an evacuation. These "Evacuation Assistants" should collaborate with students to determine their roles in the Personal Evacuation Plan, as these assistants need to be willing and capable of assisting in the event of an evacuation. Students and Evacuation Assistants are encouraged to perform drills for each building in the plan.
Students should contact the Office of Facilities Management and Planning to collect evacuation information, including identified areas of refuge on campus and the location of evacuation equipment. Students should also contact the Office of Housing and Residential Life to explore evacuations procedures already in place. Collaboration with Housing staff (including Hall Directors and Resident Assistants) and instructors is essential in devising emergency evacuation plans from residence halls and classrooms. Students are encouraged to discuss their needs (physical and otherwise) in the event of an emergency evacuation with Housing staff and course instructors. The Personal Evacuation Plan should include the roles of Hall Directors, Resident Assistants, and instructors in assisting the student, if any. At the very least, students are encouraged to share their Personal Evacuation Plans with Housing staff and course instructors. OAS staff is happy to assist students in facilitating these conversations.
Horizontal Evacuation: Use the building's exits to get to the outside ground level or that go into unaffected wings of multi-building complexes.
Stairway Evacuation: If possible, use the stairs to reach ground level exits (practice this evacuation with your Evacuation Assistants, if necessary).
Area of Refuge: Usually the safest area of refuge is an enclosed stairwell. Foyers adjacent to exit stairs and open air exit balconies are also potential locations. Go to an area of refuge with an Evacuation Assistant, if possible, away from obvious danger.
Eastern Buildings with Areas of Refuge: Webb Hall, J.E. Smith Library, Mead Hall, Neijadlik Hall
Please note that Eastern's areas of refuge are equipped with a communication device that connects to a phone that the Fire Department accesses when firefighters come on site. If you push the button to the communication device, you will not receive a response until the firefighters are on campus.
Stay in Place: Utilize this evacuation only in sprinkler-protected buildings or if an area of refuge is not available. Unless danger is imminent, remain in a room with an exterior window, a telephone, and a solid or fire resistant door.
Off-campus Evacuation: Should Eastern's campus need to be evacuated, Campus Police has three accessible shuttles that can be utilized. In this event, students should receive instructions from emergency personnel.